At the event, he distributed 10 units of the machine as part of realising the ministry’s aim of putting into practice the translational research. On the whole, FELDA settlers will receive 1,000 units of the E-Cutter machines in stages, to be used for harvesting and pruning of oil palm fronds.

The E-Cutter is the latest innovation in electric-pruning machines that combines the concept of electrical and mechanical power drives to operate the chisel and sickle at the end of a composite pole.

Datuk Seri Idris said that UPM’s innovation of the E-Cutter could solve problems and facilitate plantation work especially in the oil palm industry.

“This innovation could be rendered to benefit the people,” he said in his speech at the event.

UPM’s Faculty of Engineering researcher, Associate Prof. Ir. Dr. Norhisam Misron and MPOB Research Officer, Abdul Razak Jelani had put in five long years of research into the construction of the E-Cutter.

“Reduced vibrations and the ability to harvest trees up to 30 meters tall are important factors in exploring new dimensions of technological harvesting in the future,” said Associate Prof. Ir. Dr. Norhisam.

Meanwhile, Kamalanathan who is also Hulu Selangor’s Member of Parliament expressed his hope that UPM would continue to be one of the best research universities in Malaysia and the world and carries on to share its technological innovation with the community.

“It is hoped that the community would make use of these innovations and indirectly cultivate a motivation for the younger generation to study and improve their standard of living in order to bring change to the community’s social economy,” he said.The event also saw the presenting of UPM’s commercial product- Smart Money Kits (Kit Bijak Wang), to 11 schools in the FELDA Hulu Selangor zone and educational aid relief to 10 FELDA students who are currently studying in UPM.

The Ministry of Higher Education has announced 2017 as a year dedicated to translational research congruently ensuring researchers are able to come up with solutions that can address both national and international issues. This programme is also part of the ministry’s initiative to consolidate the country’s oil palm industries - UPM